Related News/Archive

When first asked about Seau, whose brain was found to have signs of trauma that could have led to his emotional state, Reed said, "Did he sign up for it? Yeah, he signed up to play football. Junior gave everything he had to football. I'm sure he's looking down and has no regrets."

Reed said Thursday that he meant Seau probably doesn't regret playing football.

"When I said I know he won't have any regrets, I was talking about football, not the fact that the man passed away and lost his family," Reed said. "No disrespect to his family, but people tend to write the wrong things and take it out of context."

Reed added that playing football has affected his life.

"Some days I wake up and I'm like, 'Where did my memory go?' " he said. "But I signed up for it."

Saying sorry: 49ers CB Chris Culliver apologized for his comments he made Tuesday concerning homosexuals. In an interview with comedian Artie Lange, Culliver said he wouldn't welcome a gay player in the locker room, the 49ers didn't have any gay players and if they did those players should leave. "They were very ugly comments," he said.

Saying Thanks: When Mike Singletary took over as 49ers coach in 2008, one of his first actions was benching TE Vernon Davis during a game for putting himself above the team. Four years later, Davis credits Singletary with setting his career on the right track and regrets never getting a chance to thank Singletary, who was fired during the 2010 season. "I remember the very first time he kicked me off the field. Tears were shed," Davis said. "I told him, 'I want to be traded, Coach.' He said, 'Okay, I'll find another team for you.' That moment, it started to click for me. It made me a better man, a better teammate and a better leader for my team."

Coordinating practices: Because Tulane is building a new football stadium, the Ravens practiced in the outfield of its baseball field Wednesday. Unhappy with the hard artificial turf, the Ravens on Thursday asked the NFL if they could use the Saints' facility in Metairie.

The 49ers are training there. So the Ravens dressed and did a walkthrough at Tulane then rode five buses for the 8-mile trip.

Despite the practices overlapping by only 10 minutes, the NFL found enough drapes to create a partition between the two sides of the field and blocked off all windows in the weight room.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh credited brother and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh: "This wouldn't have worked out if the coaches didn't know each other."

Practice report: 49ers linebackers Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks were limited for a second day with shoulder injuries but are expected to play. The Ravens reported no injuries.

No comment: Earlier this week, the 49ers' Randy Moss said he's the greatest receiver in history. Responded Hall of Famer Jerry Rice: "I don't need to talk about being the best receiver. I don't need to pat myself on the back."

Fakes: The U.S. Immigration and Customs department said it has confiscated about $13.6 million worth of phony NFL merchandise over the past five months and expects to confiscate more this week. Authorities also have shut down more than 300 websites selling counterfeit goods as part of "Operation Red Zone."

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.

TORONTO — Two pitches RHP Chris Archer didn't execute are the ones that stood out Thursday as Josh Donaldson hit them out of the park. But the two solo home runs aside, Archer turned in a sterling outing that went atop the pile of good pitching the Rays keep wasting.

CLEARWATER — Tracey Fritzinger has seen Tim Tebow play baseball a few times this year. The 40-year-old St. Petersburg resident went to two of his games against the Tampa Yankees, along with Joy, her little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.